Australia ended the opening day of the third Test with Steve Smith (72*) and Brad Haddin (23*) threatening to take team to safety. This after Indian bowlers had struck early and kept the pressure through the day. Will the Australia captain and vice-captain pair continue to resist or will the tourists topple them over and come out to showcase their own batting strength. Live updates from Day 2's action. (Live Scorecard | Live Updates )
06.00 (IST): OUT! Brad Haddin is gone! India pick up a wicket against the run of play as a faint edge off Haddin's bat carries to Dhoni. Haddin falls for 55. Australia 326/6
05.55 (IST): Century for Steve Smith! His 7th in Tests, 3rd in as many matches and 5th in 2014! What a year the Aussie skipper is having. Australia 321/5
05.37 (IST): 300 up for Australia! What a start to Day 2 for the hosts. Smith (82) and Haddin (52) are swiftly putting India out of the game.
05.28 (IST): Fifty for Brad Haddin! He gets there off just 77 balls. It's his 18th half-century, first since January 2014. Australia 292/5�
05.23 (IST): 12 runs off Mohammed Shami's over! He first digs in short and invites Brad Haddin to play two unorthodox heaves to the deep mid-wicket fence and then a good length ball is handsomely driven through cover-point. Australia 284/5
05.14 (IST): That four also brings up the 50-run stand between Haddin and Smith. India need a breakthrough.
05.11 (IST): The short ball ploy from round the stumps continues against Haddin. The Aussie wicketkeeper doesn't seem in too much trouble as he puts away Shami for a four behind square and gets a single off the next ball. Australia 269/5
05.05 (IST): While India bowlers look for wickets, Trent Boult is tormenting the Sri Lankans. He has three in the first session of play. Sri Lanka are reeling at 20/3 after bowling out the Kiwis for 441.
04.58 (IST): An interesting Day 2 begins! Steve Smith resumes on 72 and looks set for a ton in third Test in a row. Indian bowlers need early wickets to make a match out of this game.
Steve Smith will hope to continue Australia's fight with Indians eager to see his back as early as possible on Day 2 of the third Test.
© AP
Australia had chosen to bat after winning the toss in the highly-anticipated Boxing Day Test. Indian bowlers however seized the initiative early when an in-form David Warner fell before scoring a single run. What could have been India's day though was not meant to be as gritty Australians resisted with a couple of half-centuries. (Read: Gavaskar says India blew away early chance)
Shane Watson was one of the highlights on Friday as he helped himself to a fifty. The veteran batsman had been under pressure to perform and he finally came good on his promise and skills. (Read: Watson rues not scoring a century)
Watson though was the only batsman to fall to spin as Ravichandran Ashwin trapped him LBW. On a day when Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav claimed two wickets each, Ashwin showed that there is much on the track for spinners as well. (Read: Shami thanks Ashwin for creating pressure on Aussies | Shami vows to end Australian fight early on Day 2 )
The track at MCG may indeed have something for the spinners. Expected to become slower as the days go by, turn can make an impact here. Batting too would become easier which means the need for India to end Australia's first innings' fight is even more important.
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